Tray moving apparatus



Jan. 18, 1949. M. E. HAN SON TRAY MOVING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 5, 1945 5 SheetsSheet l INVENTOR.

WWMZA Jan. 18, 1949. M. E. HANSiON TRAY MOVING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet :2

Filed Dec. 5, 1945 Jan. 18, 1949. M. E. HANSON TRAY MOVING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 5, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jan. 18, 1949. I M E. HANSQN 2,459,524

V TRAY MOVING APPARATUS Filed bed. 5, 1945 g 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I INVENTOR. M 6. Mm

BY WWQ M Gag Q.

TRAY MOVING APPARATUS Filed Dec. '5,- 1945 5' Sheets-Sheet 5 5 W a b A: M5 37 W? 7 IN VEN TOR.

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' k BY WJQ/ /Z4 37 Patented Jan. 18, 1949 UNITED PATENT OFFICE .T RAY G "APPARATUS Merle E. Hanson, Chicago, 'Ill.

' eppiicaiiommcemher 5,1945, serials-32,931

trays upon which the dipped candies are placed for cooling. Such handlingof the trays .Was-done to keep them in a convenient position for the placement of the dipped candies and to put the trays .uponracks forcooling and eventual packing.

My present invention has for a general object the provision .of improved apparatus .for use .in

dipping confections and. the like which notonly eliminates the necessity of {the handling Of .trays of dipped confections by the operator, but also facilitates the speed andtefiiciency of theoperation.

It is a further object of my presentlinvention to provide apparatus for use .inltheldipping of confections and adapted to ;accommodate aqrack for carrying a plurality of I candy trays iii-spaced relationship and supported .on Wheels for "manual movement, which apparatus effects sequential operations under the primary controly-of {the pperator to keep .said operator supplied withempty traysfrom the rack, positionthe-traysas they are vfilled and place the filled trays in .successive spaced positions on the rack for cooling and movement.

As another object, my invention contemplates l the provision of semi-automatic apparatus adapted to use in the manufacture of confections to keep an operator supplied with emptytrays upon .whichto place the confections and toposition those trays at the will of the operatorf or ease and convenience of filling, without necessitating the handling of the traysbytheoperator.

An additional object of this invention ;is to provide candy'manufacturing apparatus adapted to be supplied with racks of empty trays and which substitutes filled trays for the empty iones as the operator fills successive trays sandqby *a series of automatic operations initiated'lby the operator.

A'further object of my inventioniisltmpmvide .2 apparatus for shifting land handling trays us ed .in the manufacture of dipped confections, which apparatus is power driven and has Berta-inoperations controlled by the operator andlothers which occur automatically in predetermined sequence.

' Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus in 1 accordance with one A or .more i of the foregoing objects and in which the trays for a plurality of operators are moved under thecontrol of each operator by power supplied from ;a commonsource.

Other objects and adlaantages of the invention will -be apparent from the following. description and the accompanying drawin s in Which-similar characters of .reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring ,torthe zfive sheets of drawings: Fig. 11 is an eend elevationalland somewhat :diagrammatic-view of candy manufacturing apparatus embodying a preferred form :of my present invention;

2 isra -frag'm entarysend1elevati0nal ,view of a p t of he a ratus shownkin Fi Fig. 3 ;is a-top pplan view of :theicandy manutac- .turing apparatus de picte'dvin Fig. 11 withecertain ;parts removed to clarify .the (disclosure;

;Fig.-4 715 9.11 enlarged fragmentary rend elevational view of 1a 2901171011 of the iapparatus'ishown in Fig. 1' withlcert ainlparts removed and'others ,indica-ted more flu-llysinidotteddines;

Fig. :5 is .a perspective and somewhatldiagram- :matic view ofonetype of drive mechanism suited -to-the operation of my l disclosed apparatus in its preferred f 012m 6 is a'zfragmenta-ry toplplan view' includin a po tioniof the drive .mechanism ShOWniin'iFlgfi and certain additional details of structure;

Figs. 51, 18 and 19 Kare diagrammatic end elevational views :of ,a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. '1, which views show difierent operating :positions .of ithe i-parts and sequential :steps in the operation- 0f the-apparatuspand -Fig; )10aisyafragmentary diagrammatic view of :a 'gDOHhiOIl of the apparatus shown .in lfiigsf'lg fi and =9, .d'rawnito a slightly larger scale wherein the :parts shown are depicted in :a phase of op- "erationywhich occur s somewhat priorto that ilin .IF-i g-QS. v dnlgeneral myecandy manufacturing apparatus 3 is adapted to facilitate the operation of hand dipping chocolates and other candies and confections and to minimize the manual handling of candy carrying trays by those engaged in the dipping operation.

Although the illustrative embodiment of my invention, which is depicted in the drawings, is suited to use in serving one or a plurality of dipping positions, I have shown its adaptation to two dipping positions for the purpose of the present disclosure. From this disclosure the omission of one position or the addition of others may be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

Referring generally to the layout and arrangement of the disclosed apparatus shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, a dipping table 20 has two operators positions 22 and 23 on opposite sides thereof, as shown in Fig. 3. Substantially in the middle of the table 26 is a vat 24 equipped with suitable heaters and agitators (not shown) for maintain ing a supply of chocolate or other dipping material in condition for use. Spouts 25 equipped with manually operable shut-off valves 26 are provided on opposite sides of the vat facing the operators positions for draining the dipping material into dipping pans, such as 21 (Fig. 1), when and as desired.

Although other types of conveyors might be used in association with the apparatus for carrying a supply of clean, empty trays to the-operators position for filling with the clipped candies or confections and for removing the filled trays therefrom, I utilize racks 28 equipped with casters 29, which racks serve as trucks and storage containers during the cooling and between the dipping and packing operations. Each such rack desirably fits into a recessed end portion 30 of the table near the operators position. In the,

dual installation disclosed, the recessed portions,

into which the racks for each operator fit, are at opposite ends of the table.

As depicted in Figs. 1 and 2, the racks 28 may be of relatively simple construction. In the form shown, each rack has end frames 32 which are made of suitable material, such as angle iron strips, and include upright side strips 33 connected at their top and bottom ends by lateral ties 34. The end frames 32 are suitably secured together at their top and bottom ends by transverse strips similar to the lateral ties 34. At the bottom the framework is secured to and carried by a base 35, at the corners of which base the casters 29 are rotatably supported.

Intermediate the bottom and top ends of each side frame 32 a series of inwardly facing angle strips 36 provides supports for trays 31. The

angle strips on each end frame 32 are vertically spaced and horizontally disposed in substantially parallel relationship. The ends of each angle strip 36 are secured to the upright-side strips 33; the strips on the opposite side frames being in opposed relationship and disposed at common levels. The spacing between adjacent tray supporting strips is sufficient to provide space for pieces of candy or the like, such as 38 in Fig. 2, and to allow for the circulation of air between and around the pieces of candy. The ends of the tray supporting strips 36 being open and unobstructed between the end frames 32, trays may .be slid into or out of the rack from either end.

In describing parts which are duplicated in different parts of the apparatus for the provision of the plurality of operators positions, the same reference numerals .will be used to identifythe similar parts and to avoid duplication in the description, it being understood that the function and operation of the apparatus for the two positions are alike.

At each operators position, a lift 39, is provided in the recessed end portion 30 of the table for moving the rack 26 during the supply and removal of trays to and from that position.

In my disclosed embodiment of the invention, each lift 39 has vertically disposed side rails 40 which are substantially parallel to one another and extend upwardly above the top of the table to a height dependent upon the height of the racks 28; the height of the side rails 46 being suflicient that the lowermost tray carrying support of the rack may be lifted to substantially table height. The side rails 40 are supported by means, such as brackets 42, secured to the floor, and brackets 43 secured to the end of, the table 20. Each side rail 40 has an inwardly facing channel 44 in which parallel side strips 45 of a lift frame 46 are supported for vertical sliding movement. The side strips of the lift frame 46 are secured together at spaced positions by cross strips, such as 41. Near the top the side rails 40 are braced by suitable cross and diagonal strips 48 and 49, respectively.

At the bottom the lift frame 46 has secured thereto outwardly projecting arms 50 which in the lowered position of the lift normally project beneath the base 35 of the rack so that when a rack is rolled into its position in the recessed end portion 30 of the table, its base passes over the projecting arms. Thus, when the lift is raised, the arms 50 engage the base of the rack and carry the rack upwardly.

In order to provide retaining means for the lift having stop positions corresponding to the separation of the tray supports of the rack 28, a ratchet mechanism, including a toothed strip 52, and a coacting spring urged pawl 53 (Figs. 3 and 4), is provided along one edge of the lift frame 46; that is, the toothed strip 52 is secured to the lift frame and has outwardly facing teeth 54 separated by amounts corresponding to the spacing between the tray carrying support strips 36 of the rack 28. The pawl 53 is slidably carried by one of the side rails 40 and is normally biased into engagement with the teeth 54 by means such as a spring 55.

It is desirable to provide means, such as a conventional dash-pot, a brake, or a counterbalance, to limit the rate of downward movement of the lift when the pawl 53 is released. In the present instance I have indicated the use of counterweight (not shown) which acts through a cable 56 having one end attached to the lift frame 46. The cable 56 extends upwardly from the lift frame and over suitable pulleys (not shown) to a counterweight having the mass necessary sub stantially to balance the weight of thelift frame and rack.

For operating the pawl 53 to eifect its release from the teeth 54, a manually operable lever 57 has one end rotatably connected to a bracket 53 on the table 26 and its other end extends upwardly to a position above the top of the table, as shown in Fig. 4. A rod 59 secured to and extending from the pawl 53 is connected to the lever 5! so that when the lever is moved to a position such as that indicated in dot and dash lines at 51a in Fig. 4, the pawl 53 is withdrawn from the teeth 54 to release the ratchet holding mechanism, there y permitting the lift and rack to be lowered.

ingsupports filled with-empty trays.

oncogenes In the preferred manner of operation of-' the disclosed apparatus, each rack 28 is-of a height comparable to that ofthe top of thetable 20 and, when initially placed in position on the lift 39, has all butthe uppermost ofthe tray carry- Starting with the rack in the lowered position of the lift, the uppermost tray carrying support is thus ready to receive a filled tray and the rackcar ries replacement trays for each of the succeeding positions.

Ateach position of elevation ofthe rack 28 determined by the teeth 54 ofthe ratchet mechanism, an empty tray is supplied to the operator and a filled tray isplaced upon a tray support of the rack. To facilitate speed it and convenience of filling the trayswhich promote efficiency of action, I have provided means under the manual control of the operator for movingthe trays re1- ative to the operators position to effect conveniencein'the placement of pieces of. candy by the operator during the-filling of the trays.

To limit fatigue of theoperator, to prevent manual handling of the trays by the operator, and to promote efficiency, the mechanism by which the trays are moved past the operator's position is manually controlled, and the supplementary tray supplying and tray removing operations are automatic, sequential and subordinate to the movement of the trays as they are filled.

Various types of drive mechanisms might be utilizedfor effecting the desired operation and control, but in the present instance a power driven mechanism is utilized which is driven by a motor or prime mover. 60 which desirably has as a correlarypart a speed reducing mechanism 62. Having reference to Figs. 3, .5 and 6,- my illustrative drive mechanism, through which the parts of the apparatus are power-driven, in-- cludes a continuously operating shaft 53 driven from an output shaft of the speedireducing mechanism .62 through suitable means; such as a chain 65 which coacts with sprockets 65 and 61 secured to shafts 63 and 64, respectively.

Meshin beveled gears 68 and 69, one secured to the mid-portion of the shaft 63 and theother secured to the end of a second continuously operating shaft 10, serve to drive the shaft The position of the shaft 10 is desirably such that it extends upwardly through the table. 2|] and into the vat 24 to drive the agitators in .that vat.

Ab'eveled gear 12 is mounted at each end of the shaft 63, through which the manually controlled parts at each of the operators positions are actuated. In each instance the beveled gear 12 meshes with a second beveled gear Hi-which is secured to one end .ofa shaft 14. At the other end of the shaft His mounted one friction element .15 of a normally disengaged friction clutch 16. A shaft 11, which is axiallyaligned with the shaft 14, carries the other friction elementjlfl of the clutch 16.

. The normally disengaged friction elements 15 and 18 of the clutch are biased toward engagement by a spring 19 which has one end abutting .afixed collar 80 on the shaft 11 .andits other end abutting the end surface of the clutch element 18. Preferably, the clutch element 15 is fixedly secured to the shaft 14 and the clutch element l8 isdrivingly connected to the shaft TI through a splined joint which permits axial movement of the element "relative to the shaft 11 to and from engagement with the element 15. A lyoke 82; having gintegrallylformed and angu-larly disposed arms 83 and 84 which form a bell cranl c'on oneside thereof; is supportedfor rocking movement "by fixed support meanssuch as brackets L Attheir ends the legs of the yoke 82 are pivotitllyconnected to the friction element TBmf-the clutch. The extending end of thearm il l ofthe bell crankis pivotally connected to a clutch actuating rod 86. Bi'asing means; such as a spring 81, having one end connected to the actuating rod 86 and its other end anchored, exerts a force through the bell crank and yoke B2 upon the friction element 18 =of'the clutch which is sufficientlystron to overcome the normal biasingforce of the spring 19, thus normally holding the clutch in its disengaged position. V i

As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, the clutch actuating rod86 has its end opposite the yoke 82 connected to a lever arm 88 of a manually operable -foot pedal -89, the manually operableportion=of which is easily accessible at theoperators position. The end of the lever 88 opposite the footpeda1'89 is rotatably secured to a fixed anchor bracket 90. The spring 87 normally holds thefootpedalilfl ina raised position so'th-at downward movement thereof by the operator effects engagement of the friction elements 15 and 18 ofthe clutch 76 to drive the shaft 71 and a spr00ket92-which is secured to that shaft.

The shaft 10 has drivingly secured thereto'a gear '93, on opposite sides of which are meshing gears 94 through which automatically and sequentlally operated parts of the apparatus-are driven at each of the operatorspositions. For effectingithe operation of those parts-ateach position, each gear '94 is secured to a shaft 95, which shaft also has mounted thereon one friction element SS-Qf a self-releasing clutch 91. A secondfriction element 98 of the self-releasing clutch 91 is coaxiallymounted upon an aligned shaftQQS; The friction element 98 is connected to the shaft v99 through means such as a .splined joint. which. permits axial movement of that element relative to the shaft. The friction element 88 of the clutch is normally biased toward engagement with the friction element 96 toeffect adriving connection between the shafts and 99. However, the friction element 9810f the clutch ,931 is normally held in a position in which the-clutch :is disengaged by a trigger type release mechanism I00: which, when released, permits one revolution of the clutch with the friction elements drivingly engaged and then automatically effects their disengagement,

As depicted in Fig. 6, the trigger type release mechanism IUD includes abell crank type operating. arm fill, the mid-portion of which is pivotally; supported at 102. The end of'the actuating arm [0! remote from the clutch 91 is connected to one-end of an actuating cable llfi3land also to onetend of a biasing spring Hit, the other end of which is; anchored. The other end of the Operating arm lOl has secured thereto a projecting pawl I05 adapted releasably to engage a' camming surface-1H8 of a catch ID]. The springulfl l biases-thearm lfli toward theposition of engagement of-the pawl and camming surface; Azstopslllfl limitsthamovement-zof the arm inithe direction toward which it is biased by the spring 104i ining surface I06 of the catch I01. Such release of the catch from the pawl releases the friction element 93 of the clutch for movement axially of the shaft 99 as the result of biasing force against that friction element whereupon the friction elements of the clutch are drivingly engaged. As soon as the friction elements of the clutch 91 are engaged, the friction element 98 and shaft 39 are driven throughthe shaft 95 and friction element 90. Hence, although the operating arm IOI is released by the release of the force supplied through the cable I03, very soon after the disengagement of the pawl I from the gauge ml, the gauge will have moved away from the pawl and the operating arm will merely return to its normal position against the stop I98 until the friction element 99 of the clutch has been driven substantially one revolution. Being returned to its normal catch-engaging position, the

pawl I05 will reengage the camming surface I06 at the end of the revolution of the friction element 38 to again efi'ect disengagement of the elements of the clutch 97. It may thus be understood that the clutch 91 is self-releasing and will turn the shaft 99 through one revolution each time the trigger type release mechanism is actuated for an interval of time and then released.

The shaft 99 has mounted thereon a gear I09 which meshes with a gear III] on a shaft II2 to drive the shaft II2 each time the shaft 99 is driven through the clutch 91. Desirably, there is a one to one ratio between the gears I09 and III] so that each revolution of the shaft 99 turns the shaft H2 through one revolution. At the upper end of the shaft H2 is a lift operating cam II3 having a cam surface II l of a length such that it functions during only approximately one-half of each revolution of the shaft II2.

Shafts H5 and H6 are driven from the shaft II2 through coacting pairs of beveled gears II1, H9, II9 and I29 secured to the respective shafts. The shaft ilii has mounted thereon a sprocket I22 which is driven during each period of operation of the shaft II2.

Having thus described the mechanism by which the various parts of the apparatus are driven, the description will proceed with the application of the driving mechanism to the associated apparatus to secure the desired results. One of the desired functions of the apparatus is to move a tray relative to the operators position in a manner such that as the tray is filled with pieces of candy by the operator, the filled portion is moved away and the empty portion of the tray is kept within easy reach and at a position handy to the operator for placement of the pieces of candy. In the disclosed apparatus the movement of the tray in such a manner past the operators position also moves it toward and onto one of the tray carrying supports of the rack.

At one side of the operators position and aligned with an open end of the tray carrying supports of the rack 28 is a tray support I23 adapted to carry a plurality of the trays 31 in stacked relationship one upon the other. The height of the stack of trays carried by the sup port I23 is related to the spacing between the adjacent tray carrying supports 36 of the rack. That is, the major portion of the base I24 of the tray support I23 is substantially aligned or slightly above the top of the tray carried by one tray carrying support of the rack; while the bottom of the top tray of the stack carried by the support I23 is substantially aligned with or slightly above the next higher tray carrying sup- 8 port of the rack. With this alignment of the trays of the stack, the uppermost tray of the stack on the support I23 may be moved linearly relative to the next lower tray and into an empty tray carrying support of the rack.

In order to keep the trays of the stack aligned on the support I23 and to guide the uppermost tray of that stack as it is moved relative to the operator and into the rack, the support is provided with sides I25 and I26 which extend upwardly from the base I24 to a height at least sufficient to engage a portion of the opposite side edges of the uppermost tray. An end wall I2I of substantially the same height as the sides I25 and I26 is provided on the end of the support I23 remote from the rack 28.

At the end of the support I23 adjacent the rack 28 the base I24 has a portion I28 sloping downwardly toward the rack. The downwardly sloping portion I28 is of suflicient length to serve as a guide for the endwise movement of trays into the support beneath the upper trays of the stack. However, its length is desirably less than half the total length of the support so that the stack of trays normally rests on the horizontally disposed portion of the base.

Extending across the end of the support I 23 adjacent the rack position and secured to the support is a strip I29 which serves as a stop to prevent endwise movement of the trays below the uppermost one of the stack as that uppermost one is moved from the stack to the rack. The top surface of the strip I29 is, therefore, slightly below or flush with the lower surface of the uppermost tray of a normal stack of trays. ,The lower surface of the strip I29 is above the end of the sloping portion I28 an amount sufficient to permit the passage of the end of a tray into the support below the other trays in the support and between that lower surface and the end of the sloping portion. Thus, empty trays may be pushed into the support below the stack, and upon each such insertion of an empty tray the upper trays of the stack move upwardly in the support between the sides and ends thereof.

Movement of the trays past the operators position as they are filled and onto the rack 28 without handling of the trays by the operator is effected by a mechanism driven from the sprocket 92 and illustrated in Fig. 4. As has been previously explained, the sprocket 92 is driven from the power driven mechanism and its movements are controlled by the operation of the foot pedal 89 (Fig. 3).

Referring to Fig. 4, the sprocket 92 is drivingly connected to a second sprocket I30 by suitable flexible driving means such as a chain I32. The sprocket I30 is rotatably supported by a shaft I33 and has secured to one surface thereof a toothed ratchet I34 which coacts with a pawl I35 to prevent reverse rotation of the sprocket I30. Resilient means, such as a spring I35, biases the pawl I35 into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet I34. A cam I3! is secured to the shaft I33 to be driven by the rotation of the sprocket I39. I

A tray moving arm I38 has its lower end supported for swinging movement by a shaft I39 at a position below the axis of rotation of the cam I37. The arm I38 extends upwardly from its supported end to a position adjacent one side of the tray support I 23 and has a slot I40 in its upper end which drivingly engages a pin I42 projecting' outwardly from the outer side of a tray moving slide I43. Resilient means, such as a acaaozc -I 9 1 spring I44, has one end connected to an intermediate portion of the arm and 'hasits other end anchored so as normally to bias the arm I38 to a position such that a tray engaging edge I45 of the slide I43 is normally out of the way of a 1o prevents. reverse rotation of the cam-I54. One end of an arm I58 is supported for swinging movement by a shaft I59. The other end of that tray moving upwardly in the support I23 and in I position for engagement with the endsurface of a. tray. I

A guide rail I46 secured to and extending longitudinally along one side of the tray support I23 slidably carries the slide I43 for movement along the edge of that support. As shown in Fig.

3, the tray engaging edge I45 of the slide I43 is offset from the guide rail I46 to a lateral position such that it engages one side of the end surface of the uppermost tray of the stack- Thus, upon movement of the slide I43 longitudinally of the support, the uppermost tray is pushed along on that support and finally moved into a tray suport of the rack 28. i i I In order to effect the movement of the slide I 43 as a result ofoperation of the foot pedal 89,

the arm I38 has rotatably supported on one side thereof and in alignment for engagement with theIcam I31 a camfollower I41. As depicted in Figs. 4 and 7, the rotational movementof the cam I31 moves the cam follower I41and swings the arm I38 to positions determined by the position of the cam I31. Reverse movement of the cam during the forward progress of the arm I38 to move a tray from thesupport I23 to the rack 28 is prevented by the action of the ratchet I34 and its coacting pawl I35. The intermediate and extreme positions of forward movement of the arm I38 are illustrated in dot and dash lines in Fig. 4 at I38a and I38b. Fig. 7 also illustrates an intermediate position of forward movement of the arm I38 and slide I43.

Near the extreme limit of the forward movement of the arm I38, as indicated in Fig. 4, the intermediate portion of the arm engages a rotatably supported bell crank I48 which is carried by a suitable bracket M9. The end of the cable I63 thereby to actuate the trigger release mechanismof the clutch 91.

Immediately upon engagement of the friction elements of the clutch 91, the sprocket I22 is driven from the driving mechanism. to actuate a second tray moving mechanismfor the. purpose of moving an empty tray from the rack 28 to the bottom of the stack of trays in the support I23 so that the supply of trays in the stack is replenished each time one tray isI filled and removed therefrom. mechanism for moving Iemptytrays from the rack 28 into thesupport I23 is; quite similar to that used for moving the trays from the stack onto the rack. However, it is to be understood that the control of the movement ofthe trays from the stack to the rack is manual while after initiation, thecontrol of the mechanism formoving the trays from the rack to the support is auto- Considered generally, the

arm has a slot I60 therein which drivingly ena es apin I62 projecting from the outer side of a slide I 63; A pushrod I64 has one end carried by the slide I63 and itsother end supported for longitudinalmovement by the guide rollers I65 (Figs. *3 and 4) The slide I63 is supported by a guide rail I66 so that swinging movement of the arm I58 toward the rack position moves a tray engaging end 1 I61 of the push rod -I64 from a positionadjacent a tray carrying support of the rack into and through therack to move a: tray into the support I23: in themanner depi-cted in Figs. Band 10. i I

IResilient Imeansesuch as a spring I-68,I having; one end connected-to the mid-portionof the arm I58 and. its other end anchored,biases thearm I58 to aposition suchIthat the push rod I64 i -Iwithdrawn .fromIthe-rack. A cam follower I69, carried by the mid-portion of the arm. I58, engages the cam I54 so that the rotation of. the cam: I54 effects movement of the arm to intermediateIand extreme positions such. asthose-indicated in dot and-dash lines at I58a and I58?) in Fig. l. I I

The design'ofIIthe cam I54 is suchIthat,-although a. full revolution of the cam is necessary for a full cycle of. operation and its. return to the starting position for another cycle, it is effective for producing full forward movement of the push rod and slightly less than one-half of a full revolution. The commencement of the forward movementof the push rod I64 coincides with the driving engagement effected by the clutch-91 Althoughthe clutch. 91 remains engaged for a. period of time sufficient to complete a.- fullrevolm tion of the cam I54, the forward movement .of the push rod is accomplished in slightly lessthan half of that time, after which the push rod is quickly withdrawn by the biasing force gofI the spring I68. I I. I I

During the remaining period of time in which; the clutch 91- is engaged, the shaft II2 (Figs. .3. and 5) continues to rotate to drive the liftoperating ,camI II3. Like the push rod actuating cam I54, the lift operating cam Il3 is effective during only substantially half of the period of operation.- of the clutch91 and Ithe work performing periods. of operation of those two cams are thus separated.I

As-illustrated in Figsa3 and 4, the liftframe 46 has secured thereto avertically disposed rail I16, to which is secured a series of vertically spaced cam followers I12. .The cam followers I12project from the rail I10 toa position in which they are adapted to be engaged by the camming. surface I I4 of the lift operating cam I I3. The spac-I ing between the adjacent cam followers I12 correspondsIto the spacing between the tray carrye ing. supports 36 to the rack 28. During each' cycle ofrotation of the lift operating cam I I3, the

I camming surface II4of that cam engagesone of matic in that the self-releasing clutch 91 remains I rotatably supported by shaft I53, to which are secured a cam I54 and a toothed ratchet I55.

A pawl I56 resiliently biased into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet I55 bya spring li'l,

thecam followers I12 tolraise the liftone step; the lift being. held in position at each step by the. toothed strip 52 and its coacting pawl 53.

I Reviewing the order and sequenceof operation with reference to Figs. 7 to 10, inclusive and to. the description of-the various parts of the appaI-x ratus, it may be readily understood that upon; each' intermittent operation of the foot pedals; by the" operator, the top tray of the stack Iin thei support I23 is moved past or from the'operatons position a deslredamount and onto a tray support of the rack 28'. Themovement of the upper- I 1 1 most tray of the stack as it is filled is thus under the control of the operator and corresponds, for convenience, to the rate of filling the tray.

After each filled tray is moved onto a tray support of the rack, the arm I38 and tray moving slide I 43 move quickly back to the starting position under the influence of the force of'the spring [44; the arm I38 being released for return by the cam it! after forward movement to that extreme forward position.

' Upon reaching the extreme forward position, the arm I 38 of the tray moving mechanism effects operation of the self-releasing clutch 91 to initiate the automatic operation by which an empty tray is moved into the stack to replace the one which has been filled and the movement of the lift together with the rack 28 tothe next higher position. Since the operation of the tray moving mechanism, which moves an empty tray from the rack to the stack, is initiated by a completion of the movement of a filled tray into the rack, the movement of the empty tray into the stack will succeed in each instance the movement of a filled tray from the stack. The movements of the tray moving mechanism, which moves a tray from the rack, and the raising of the lift are automatically separated by the, design and correlation of the can1s|54 and H3. At theendof the automatic cycle of operation of the tray moving mechanism and the lift raising mechanism, the clutch 91 automatically releases, whereupon repeated operation results from the initiation of a new cycle,

, While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit ofthe invention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth but desire to avail myself of all changes within the scope of the appended claims. 7

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is: v

1. In candy manufacturing apparatus adapted to be used in association with a portable rack provided with supporting casters upon which it may be moved to and'from the apparatus and normally carrying a supply of trays in a plurality of tray carrying supports equidistantly spaced apart vertically, the combination comprising a lift having thereon means for carrying the rack vertically,means at one sideofthe liftsupporting a plurality of empty trays one 'ontop of the other with the uppermost one at a level corresponding to the top tray carrying support of the rack, manually controlled'means for moving said uppermost the rack-for moving the lift upwardly one step to align an empty support of the rack with the uppermost of said plurality of empty trays, power driven means for actuating said means for moving an empty tray from the rack and for moving said lift upwardly from one step of the rack to th'e'next, and means for releasing the ratchet to lower the rack. r

2. In candy manufacturing apparatus adapted to be used in association with a portable rack 12 provided with supporting casters upon which it may be moved to and from the apparatus and normally carrying a supply of trays in a plurality of tray carrying supports equidistantly spaced apart vertically, the combination com-v of the rack in steps of selected lengths, means operable after the movement of said uppermost oneof the trays onto the rackfor moving an empty tray from a lower support of the rack to the bottom of said plurality of empty trays, means operable after the movement of an empty tray from the rack for moving the lift upwardly a distance such that 'anempty tray carrying support of the rack is aligned with the uppermost of said plurality of empty trays, and means for actuating said means for l'llOVillg an empty tray from the rack and for moving said lift upwardly.

3. In candy manufacturing apparatus adapted to be used in association with a portable rack provided with supporting casters upon which it may be moved to and from the apparatus and having a plurality of spaced tray carrying supports, the combination comprising a lift having thereon means for carrying the rack vertically, means at one side of the lift for supporting a stack of emptytrays, one on top of the other, with the uppermost one of the trays at a level corresponding to a predetermined tray carrying support of the rack, means for moving the uppermost one of the trays toward and onto the adjacent tray carrying support of the rack in steps, means operable after the movement of said uppermost one of the trays onto the rack. for raising rality of tray carrying supports, a supply of empty trays carried on all but one of said tray carrying supports, means adjacent one side of the rack for supporting an auxiliary stack of empty trays. one on top of the other, with the uppermost tray in a position to be filled and at a level such that its'lower surface is substantially even with said one of the tray carrying supports, manually con trolled means f or moving said uppermost one of the trays from the auxiliary stack toward and onto said one tray carrying support in steps of selected lengths,means operable after the movement of said uppermost one of the trays onto said one tray carrying support for moving the next adjacent empty tray from said rack into the auxiliary stack, means operable after movement of an empty tray from the rack into the stack for moving the rack to a position in which the next empty tray carrying support thereof is aligned with the uppermost tray of the stack, and power operated means for moving the rack to successive positions. I

5. In candy manufacturing apparatus, the combination comprising rack means having a plurality of spaced tray carrying supports, means adjacent one side ofthe raclc for supportingastack of empty trays, one on top oftthe other, with the uppermost tray in a position to be filled and at alevel for sliding movement into one of said tray carrying supports, manually controlled means for moving saiduppermost one of the trays from the stack toward'and onto-said one of the tray carrying supports in stepsof selected lengths, means operable :after the movement of said uppermost one of the trays onto the rack: for raising said stack a distance equal to thethicknessof a tray, and means, for moving the rack to a position for receiving the next, succeeding tray from the stack on the next succeeding tray carrying support thereof in like manner 6. In candy manufacturing apparatus, the combination comprisin a work table with operators positions on opposite sides thereof main power driven means beneath the table and between the operators positions, means at one side of each operators position including a support having a portion adjacent one side of the table for carrying thereon a stack ofempty trays with theuppermost tray of the stack substantially flush with the topof the table, a rack adjacent said one side of the table and at the end of said support remote from the operators position, said rack having a series of vertically separated tray supports, the top one of which is normally aligned with said uppermost tray of the stack, a tray moving mechanism adapted intermittently to-be actuated by said main power driven means to move the uppermost one of the trays from said stack onto the aligned tray support of said rack, foot operated control means for effecting actuation of the tray moving mechanism by the power driven means, a lift intermittently driven upwardly by the main power driven means for raising the rack in steps of a length determined by the separation between tray supports, means actuated by the tray moving mechanism at each full movement thereof for effecting upward movement of the lift one step by the main power driven means, and means intermittently driven by the main power driven means 'for supplying an additional tray to the stack each time one is removed therefrom.

7. In candy manufacturing apparatus, the combination comprising a work table with an operators position at one side thereof, power driven means beneath the table, means at one side of the operators position including a support having a portion adjacent one end of the table, said support carrying thereon a stack of empty trays with the uppermost tray of the stack at approximately table height, the edges of said uppermost tray remote from the operators position normally being within easy reach of an operator for placin candy on the tray, a. tray moving mechanism having a part engaging said uppermost tray of the stack for effecting progressive movement of the tray in a direction such that the surface of the tray passes progressively within easy reach of the operator, normally disconnected driving means for providing an actuating connection between the tray moving mechanism and the power driven means, foot pedaloperated means at the operators position for controlling thecon nection between the tray movingmechanism and the power driven means, whereby the operator may effect movement of saiduppermost tray as desired, means onto which said uppermost tray is moved from the support by the tray moving mechanism, and means for raising said stack of trays each time one is removed.

8. In candy manufacturingapparatus, the combination comprising a work table with an operator's position at one side thereof, power driven means, a tray for receiving pieces of candy placed thereon by the operator, means at one side of the operators position supportingsaid tray for movement relative to the operators position from a normal position in which the remote sides of the tray are within easy reach of the operator, a tray moving mechanism having a part engaging the tray, for effecting said movement thereof, normally disconnected driving mean for providing an actuating connection between the tray moving mechanism and the power driven means, manually operable means at the operators positionfor controlling the connection between the tray -moving mechanism and the power driven means, ,whereby the operator may effect said movement of the tray as desired, a rack having a series of tray carrying supports, said rack being disposed in a position such that the said trayis moved onto one of said tray carrying supports by the tray moving mechanism, and means driven by said power driven means for moving the rack to a position such that a succeeding one of said series of tray carrying supports is aligned to receive a tray from the tray supporting means.

9, In candy manufacturing apparatus in which trays are utilized to carry pieces of candy and said trays are successively moved past an operators position While being filled with candy and onto separated tray supports of a rack for cooling the candy, the combination comprising, a tray moving mechanism including, a part adapted drivingly to engage the ends of successive trays at a starting position, the limits of movement of said tray moving mechanism being such as to move a tray from said starting position ontosaid rack, power driven means, means including a clutch mechanism for actuating the tray moving mechanism from the power driven means to movea tray from the starting position toward and onto the rack, manually operable control means for operating said clutch to move the tray as desired,

means biasing the tray engaging part of the tray moving mechanism to the starting position, means included in said tray moving mechanism for releasing the tray engaging part at the end of its movement toward the rack for return to the startingposition by said biasing means, means for preventing movement of the tray engaging part toward the starting position after being moved therefrom and before release by said means, a lift for said rack, means including a selfdisengaging clutch mechanism for intermittently actuating the lift from said power driven means, and meansactuated by said tray engaging part at the end of its movement toward the rack for initiating operation of said self-disengaging tray moving mechanism including a part adapted drivingly to engage the ends of successive trays.

at a starting position, the limits of movement of said tray moving mechanism being such as to move a tray from saidstarting position onto said rack, power drivenmeans, means including a clutch'mechanism for actuating the tray moving mechanism from thepower driven means to move a tray from the starting position toward and onto the rack, manually operable control means for smegma operating said clutch to move the tray as desired, means biasingthe tray engaging part of the tray moving mechanism to the starting position, a cam having driving and quick return portions included in said tray moving mechanism for effecting movement of the tray engaging part and quick release thereof at the end of its movement toward the rack for return to the starting position by said biasing a ratchet mechanism, and for preventing movement of the tray engaging part toward the starting position after being moved therefrom and before release by said means.

11. In candy manufacturing apparatus in which trays are utilized to carry pieces of candy and said trays are successively moved past an operators position while being filled with candy and onto separated tray supports of a rack for cooling the candy, the combination comprising a tray moving mechanism including a part adapted drivingly to engage successive trays at a starting position, said tray moving mechanism having limits of forward and reverse movement such that said part reciprocates between starting and release positions, power driven means, normally released coupling means for actuating the tray moving mechanism from the power driven means to efiect forward movement of said. part-manually operable control means for operating said coupling means to efiect forward movement of said part in desired increments, said coupling means including a cam and a ratchet mechanism for effecting the forward movements of said part and preventing reverse movement of-said part between forward movements thereof until said release, position is reached, and means including a cut-away portion of said cam for eifecting quick return of said part from the release position to the starting position.

12. In candy manufacturing apparatus in which trays are utilized to carry pieces of candy and said trays are conveyed by racks to and from a position at which the trays are filled with candy, the combination comprising a rack having spaced tray supports and origin-all being loaded with empty trays carried by all but. one of said tray supports, means for successively moving trays onto said rack starting with said one of the tray supports, means for successively moving said empty trays from the tray support of the rack adjacent the previously filled tray, and means for moving said rack to successive positions for insertion of filled trays and removal of empty trays, the last mentioned means including a lift and power driven means for actuating the lift, said lift embodying means having spaced steps for holding it in successive raised positions, and

said power driven means incorporating an inter-- mittently operated element for moving the lift between said successive positions.

13. In candy manufacturing apparatus wherein a rack having spaced tray supports is moved vertically in steps past a predetermined position, the combination comprising a lift having side members movable between guides, means for moving the lift in successive steps, rack and pawl means for retaining the lift in. position between said successive steps, manually controlled means for moving a tray into said rack at each of said successive steps of the rack, and said means for moving the lift including a cam and a coacting cam follower, power driven means for moving the cam, a self-releasing clutch for drivingly connecting the cam to the power driven means for a period suflicient to raise the lift one step, and means actuated by said manually controlled means for initiating operation of'said self-releasing clutch.

i i. In candy manufacturing apparatus wherein a rack initially carrying a supply of empty trays in spaced tray carrying supports is utilized to supply empty trays at a filling position and remove filled trays from said filling position, the combination comprising power driven means, rack carrying means, means including a selfreleasing clutch for intermittently connecting the rack carrying means to the power driven means to move the rack in steps dependentupon the spacing between said tray carrying supports, manually controlled means for moving filled trays onto said tray carrying supports at successive positions of the rack, means for moving an empty tray from said rack at each of the successive positions of the rack, the last mentioned means being actuated from the power driven means through the self-releasing clutch, means for sequentially timing the movements of the rack carrying means relative to the operations of the means for moving empty trays from the rack, and means responsive tooperaticns of said manually controlled means ior'initiating successive operations of said self-releasing clutch.

15. In candy manufacturing apparatus wherein a rack initially carrying a supply of empty trays in spaced tray carrying supports is utilized to supply empty traysat a filling position and remove filled trays from said filling position, the combination comprising power driven means, rackcarrying means, means including a self-releasing clutch for intermittently connecting the rack carrying means to the power driven means,

being actuated from the power driven means through the self-releasing clutch, and means for sequentially timing the movements of the rack carrying means relative to the operations of the means for moving empty trays from the rack.

16. In candy manufacturing apparatus, wherein empty trays are supplied from a movable rack having spaced tray carrying supports, the combination comprising power driven means including a self-releasing clutch anda cam for moving the rack in steps dependentupon the spacing of the tray carrying supports, means also driven by said power driven means through the selfreleasing clutch and including another cam for moving a tray from the rack at each of said successive steps, and said-cams being timed to separate the operations of the rack moving means and tray moving means during each cycle of operations of the self-releasing clutch.

17. In candy manufacturing apparatus wherein trays are utilized to carry quantities of candy and said trays are used from a stack, the com bination comprising a support for said stack ineluding a base, side and end walls, said side walls extending upwardly from the base a distance such that they at least partially overlap the side surfaces of the uppermost tray of the stack, a portion of said base sloping downwardly away from the stack at one end and to an extent such that the normal space between the base and the lowermost trayof-the stack at said one end is greater than the thickness of'a tray, said end 17 18 well at said one end of the base being spaced upwardly from the base more than the thickness REFERENCES CITED of a tray to permit trays to be slipped into the The following references are of record in the support at the bottom of the stack, and the file of t s paten height of said end Wall at said one end of the 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS base being lower than the top of the stack by an amount such that the uppermost tray of the Number Name Date stack may he slipped from the stack over said 1,269,115 June end wall and between the side walls. 1,523,067 MCKalg Mali 3, 1923 MERLE HANSON 10 1,599,227 Gantvoort Sept. 7, 1926 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,459,524. January 18, 1949. MERLE E. HANSON It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 10, line 61, for the Words to the read of the; column 15, line 9, claim 10, for a ratchet mechanism, and read means, and a ratchet mechanism;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this 17th day of May, A. D. 1949.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Commissioner of Patents. 

